Kong Muhua happily followed the kind-hearted and handsome young man to seek justice.
Even though the young man was only at the Golden Core stage and looked frail, he was still human. Communication between humans was usually more effective. Perhaps he could figure out why Bai Zihao was always angry. Besides, Bai Zihao was a mighty Deity; he wouldn't severely harm someone at the Golden Core stage. This was Kong Muhua's chance to slip in with the young cultivator and then beg for mercy.
Kong Muhua happily trailed behind the young man, eventually finding himself in the Summit of Immortality's council chamber. The divine ruler had apparently returned at some point and was engaged in serious discussions with several demon cultivators, among whom were his arch-enemies, the Dapeng and Bifang demons. Kong Muhua instantly preened his feathers and adjusted his gown, following into the chamber with coquettish steps.
He took a few steps and suddenly realized something was amiss.
What was this young man doing here?
Kong Muhua had a gut feeling to retreat but was discovered by the divine ruler. Blood King vines suddenly emerged, blocking his escape route.
Song Qingshi stepped up to Yue Wuhuan and earnestly admonished, "Men shouldn't toy with women's emotions or mistreat them."
Yue Wuhuan removed his gossamer gloves, smoothed his disheveled hair, and agreed, "Indeed, one shouldn't toy with emotions."
Their arch-enemies were clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Finally catching on, Kong Muhua lamented, "Your Divinity…"
Song Qingshi was puzzled, "Your Divinity?"
Enraged, Yue Wuhuan lashed out twice, transforming him back into his original form—a golden peacock, frantically flying around the room while shrieking. Song Qingshi was about to urge Yue Wuhuan not to hit a woman when he recalled his biology textbook—only male peacocks have such elaborate tails, right?
After pondering the relationship between male peacocks and women, he finally understood. But it wasn't his fault; when he first discovered Yue Wuhuan's cross-dressing, it was accidental. As for Kong Muhua, who was wearing a flowing, colorful gown, Song Qingshi was no libertine—how could he have inappropriately touched anyone?
Although Kong Muhua is a cute boy, domestic violence is still unacceptable.
As Song Qingshi hesitated over whether or not to give further counsel, Yue Wuhuan dismissed the spectating demon cultivators. Using the Blood King vines, he bound the wretched-looking golden peacock's wings and claws and introduced him, "This is Bai Zihao's lover."
Peacocks are demon birds of exorcism, ancient creatures with divine powers. Classified by human cultivator standards, Kong Muhua would be a late-stage grandmaster, holding a rank even within the Summit of Immortality. During wars, he serves as the vanguard, capable of leveling half a mountain with a single swing of his axe; his military prowess is undeniable.
The bird tribe is known for its vanity and flamboyance. Cross-dressing is not something new, but Kong Muhua's peculiar personality and tumultuous relationship with Bai Zihao are quite the spectacle. Every few decades, they cause a stir by threatening to break up. The residents of the Summit have grown accustomed to Kong Muhua's melodramatic displays; everyone knows he's just putting on a show for Bai Zihao, who seems to be the only one to indulge him.
Being a newcomer and engrossed in his research, Song Qingshi was not briefed on these long-standing dynamics.
Kong Muhua, rarely encountering someone willing to engage with him, was excited to perform. With his status and power, he wasn't worried about repercussions—until he crossed paths with the divine ruler's partner, losing several beautiful feathers in the process.
The peacock preened its remaining feathers, chirping sadly, utterly aggrieved.
He decided to collect all his fallen feathers, intending to craft them into a fan as a gift for Bai Zihao.
...
Having finally pieced together the relationships, Song Qingshi realized that Bai Zihao was his original mission target. He didn't regret the mix-up, but felt a tinge of guilt towards the young man he was initially supposed to save.
Yue Wuhuan sensed his thoughts and asked, "Would you like to meet Bai Zihao?"
Having been unnerved by previous experiences in the Moyuan magic array, Song Qingshi first studied Yue Wuhuan's expression. Assured there was no animosity that could lead to another tragedy, he nodded emphatically. He was curious to see what had become of the subject of his original mission.
Yue Wuhuan smiled and led him there.
Bai Zihao, whenever visiting the Summit of Immortality, stayed at Kong Muhua's Changsi Tower. He had been persuaded to stay there once when he believed the peacock was female. This had since become an unspoken rule. No one dared to offer him another guest room, fearing Kong Muhua's dramatic tantrums and wielding of dual axes.
Yue Wuhuan took Kong Muhua away, allowing Song Qingshi to enter Changsi Tower alone.
Upon knocking and entering, Song Qingshi saw Bai Zihao delicately stitching together a shattered skull. Whose skull it was remained a mystery, but its twisted expression was accompanied by several soul lamps. The atmosphere was a far cry from the pitiable young man he remembered.
"Immortal Master?" Bai Zihao looked up, visibly delighted, setting aside the skull to brew some tea. "This scum is someone the divine ruler ordered me to kill— a villain who preyed on young girls. The divine ruler intends to hang his head at the city gate. In my fury, I forgot the instruction and shattered his skull. Now I'm trying to piece it back together to fulfill my duty."
The divine ruler's orders must be carried out.
He had been struggling to piece it together and was growing anxious.
"Let me take a look," said Song Qingshi, always eager to help in matters within his expertise. He rolled up his sleeves and began assembling the skull, correcting as he went. "You've misplaced some bone fragments. I'll provide you with an anatomical chart later to help you understand how to reconstruct it."
Between the teaching and learning, they successfully reassembled the skull and placed it in a box.
Taking a few sips of tea, Song Qingshi wanted to apologize but struggled to find the words. Finally, he said candidly, "I'm sorry. Back then, at Jin Feiluo's place... I should have saved you."
"Jin Feiluo?" Bai Zihao looked puzzled but finally remembered his wretched ex-husband. He laughed, "If you hadn't mentioned him, I might have forgotten his name altogether."
Despite the harsh memories, nearly three millennia had passed. All such unpleasant matters had long been swept into the river of history. His mind now was occupied with cultivation, missions, killings, and the incessantly annoying Kong Muhua.
With more pleasant memories to ponder, the painful ones faded.
"Back then, I was young and naive. Clinging to your robes wouldn't have made me any less useless. Fortunately, you saved Brother Wuhuan, and he taught me to stand on my own feet. That's been more valuable than anything."
In the early days, the divine ruler had not only taught him techniques and swordsmanship but had also been more forgiving of his mistakes. The divine ruler often observed him attentively, making Bai Zihao, freshly out of Jin Feng Villa with his mind not fully cleared of past misunderstandings, wonder if he was being courted.
He had grown fond of 'females' and didn't want to engage with men anymore, yet he admired Yue Wuhuan and owed him a significant debt.
The divine ruler discovered the public's speculation and his inner turmoil, finding it amusing. He summoned him to the lotus pond in the Janghe Hall and shared the story of his own meeting with the Medicine King Immortal Master. Amidst that story of treatment, book reading, heavenly tribulations, and heartfelt gifts, he suddenly asked, "If you were treated like this, would you be fond of that person? Would you be happy?"
After some thought, Bai Zihao honestly replied, "I probably would be."
No one could resist being touched by such tenderness.
The Divine Ruler was silent for a long time, his expression under the veil appearing to be one of deep pain.
"Brother Wuhuan," said Bai Zihao, as if his mind had gone haywire. With uncharacteristic boldness, he reached out to lift the Divine Ruler's veil, wanting to glimpse a long-lost face and offer some words of comfort. "Don't—"
His hand barely grazed the edge of the cloth.
The Divine Ruler snapped out of his reverie. Protective spiritual power immediately condensed into a blade of light, slashing down without hesitation.
Bai Zihao's hand was severed, agony piercing his heart.
He was utterly dazed. Although he had suffered similar grave injuries during training with demonic beasts, he never expected to be wounded by the Divine Ruler.
"You may have misunderstood," said the Divine Ruler, whose aversion to any form of touch was extreme. After casting several purification spells on his clothing, he spoke icily, "I abhor you, perhaps even loathe you. Saving you was merely an experiment to see what the 'right answer' would look like."
Bai Zihao picked up his severed hand and dejectedly sought medical attention. Though the hand was soon reattached, the idea of being despised by his benefactor left him heartbroken for days, even provoking a secret bout of tears.
Knowing about the incident, Kong Muhua came to console him. "Ignore what the Divine Ruler says; pay attention to what he does. Anyone else would have lost their life for such audacity. The fact that you are still alive means you matter to him more than others."
Reflecting on this, and considering the Divine Ruler's consistent kindness and the constant playful antics of his 'girlfriend,' Bai Zihao soon found peace.
...
Song Qingshi felt a little perplexed upon hearing the story. "You had your hand severed and you're not angry?"
"The Summit of Immortality has rules; I violated a taboo. Why would I be angry?" said Bai Zihao, not understanding why the focus was on his severed hand. "I only mentioned this to illustrate how deep the Divine Ruler's feelings for me are, irreplaceable by anyone. Could this be a physician's instinct, to focus on the hand?"
Why did all his relationships either involve scum or fools?
Bai Zihao thought about the gift Kong Muhua had given him and felt angry again.
Song Qingshi was also curious about why he would hit Kong Muhua, who seemed so delicate.
Bai Zihao pulled out a set of clothes and showed them to him.
The clothing was meticulously made, adorned with intricate embroidery. However... it was women's attire.
Holding back his frustration, Bai Zihao said, "He claimed he could only make skirts, and somehow it turned into this. He asked me not to mind and to wear it while we go see the lanterns. I think he's just a fool."
At first, he couldn't come to terms with the fact that Kong Muhua was gay. He had been born in a conservative village where same-sex relationships were not acknowledged. From a young age, he'd been educated to find a woman and settle down. After arriving in the celestial realm, he became a plaything for other men and believed he would never lead a normal life. But meeting the vibrant Kong Muhua stirred something in him. He felt he was still a regular man, yearning to build a happy family with a woman he loved, and this realization brought him great joy.
Then, out of the blue...
Rather than rejecting Kong Muhua's "deception," it was more accurate to say that he couldn't come to terms with the shattering of his dreams—the refusal to accept that he might be gay, that he could only love men...
For a long time, he struggled to face this reality.
Kong Muhua was deeply hurt, unable to understand why humans love yet refuse to acknowledge it, causing a great deal of turmoil.
Baizi Hao began to soften a bit, attempting to convince himself. After all, even the Medicine King Immortal had a water elemental spiritual root, and he wasn't the only man who was attracted to submissive men. So he mentally prepared himself, thinking, "We've known each other for so many years. I know Kong is not entirely rational, and while things might be awkward in the bedroom, he's naturally gifted. I can take the initiative, teach him, and he'll improve..."
However, just when he was on the brink of compromise, Kong Muhua would do something utterly baffling, infuriating him to the point where he wished he could hang the guy up and beat him senseless.
He looked at the phoenix, the roc, the Bifang, and the crane...
The more he compared, the more he thought, "Men are worse than men, and birds are even worse than birds!"
Song Qing silently pondered, feeling that Baizi Hao severely lacked knowledge in sexual health. He decided to give him an educational talk, explaining that same-sex attraction is a natural occurrence. After the lesson, he asked, "If Kong Muhua were a woman and did these things, would you be angry?"
Baizi Hao hesitated, "I wouldn't be."
When Kong Muhua was perceived as a "woman," no matter how troublesome, he found him vivacious and adorable.
He knew the fault was his; it was a mental barrier he couldn't overcome...
The Medicine King's lecture gave him a moment of clarity, but he was slow to comprehend and needed more time to digest.
Song Qing cautiously asked, "Do you feel happy now?"
After a moment's thought, Baizi Hao smiled, "I do."
Now, he was a ruler in his own right, no one dared to insult or bully him anymore, and he could even go around defeating those he despised. Kong Muhua might be eccentric, but he was sincere toward him. He no longer dwelled on past sufferings. Apart from some petty annoyances, he had little to worry about, feeling joyful and immensely happy every day.
Song Qing was stunned, thanked Baizi Hao, and quickly ran out the door to find Yue Wuhuan.
Yue Wuhuan, having just finished schooling the peacock, was in the process of instructing Haolong to change his title from "Mom" to either "Dad" or "Father." He turned to see Song Qing rushing towards him and smilingly asked, "What's going on?"
"You've redeemed Baizi Hao!" Song Qing seized him, excitedly declaring, "Therefore, the system was wrong! Baizi Hao has found happiness; my mission is a success!"
The system was a tool of some unseen puppeteer, rigidly executing its mission to make Baizi Hao happy. However, it had not specified the form this happiness should take.
Now, he had saved Yue Wuhuan, and in turn, Yue Wuhuan had redeemed Baizi Hao.
He had accomplished the impossible task!
The system, operating strictly according to predetermined fates, had miscalculated the protagonist's destiny and judged the test results incorrectly. The scores needed to be reassessed!
This was an unprecedented event; even the puppet master behind the scenes couldn't entirely ignore this severe error and had to find a way to rectify it.
Like a butterfly's wings causing a storm, one mistake could trigger a cascade of errors, snowballing into greater calamities.
The world was on the verge of catastrophe.